MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
RENO COUNTY — The Reno County Planning Commission declined to formally ask county commissioners to develop regulations for data centers and battery energy storage systems during its August meeting.
A motion requesting the Reno County Commission “proactively” address data center and battery storage development in the county’s zoned areas failed on a 2-5 vote.
Planning commissioners Nisly and Strand voted for the motion. Schafer, Seltzer, Macklin, Martin and Goertzen voted against it.
The discussion centered on whether the county should establish standards before receiving a development proposal or continue reviewing those projects individually through the conditional-use permit process.
County planning staff said data centers and battery storage systems are currently considered unspecified land uses. As a result, either type of project proposed in a zoned portion of Reno County would require a conditional-use permit and public hearing.
Specific regulations have not been established for those developments. Staff said the County Commission’s current position is that the conditional-use permit process is adequate unless commissioners provide further direction.
Planning Commission members supporting proactive regulations said developers should know the county’s basic requirements before deciding whether to pursue a project.
One member said clear standards could identify what is and is not acceptable while still allowing the Planning Commission to adjust conditions based on the location and details of each proposal. Another suggested the county consider data centers and battery storage separately because the two uses present different issues.
The discussion included potential concerns involving noise, energy demand, water use and effects on neighboring properties. Commissioners also noted that data centers could generate substantial tax revenue for local governments and school districts.
Members compared the situation with Reno County’s earlier consideration of commercial wind-energy projects. At that time, the county initially relied on the conditional-use permit process without detailed regulations.
Planning Commission members who participated in the wind proceedings said they were forced to develop project conditions while conducting more than 20 hours of public hearings. The county later adopted specific commercial wind regulations.
Some commissioners said developing standards in advance would allow the board to study the issues, consult experts and avoid creating requirements under the pressure of a pending application.
Others said the Planning Commission should wait until a majority of the County Commission directs staff and planners to begin the process. Several members voting against the motion said their votes did not necessarily mean they opposed establishing regulations.
The discussion and failed motion will be included in the Planning Commission’s meeting minutes, allowing county commissioners to review the concerns raised.
Any county regulations would apply only within Reno County’s zoned areas, which commissioners said cover roughly one-third of the county. Unzoned portions of the county would not be subject to the zoning requirements.